Restoring The Balance

Balance is defined as an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady. The words upright and steady are not often used when referring to the character of most men, especially men who call themselves believers. Because of the many roles men are forced to play, it is sometimes difficult to maintain a balanced life; we may find it difficult to distribute the weights placed on us by the demands of this journey.

Author Gary W. Keller stated this about a balanced life: “Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls – family, health, friends, and integrity – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered.” As Mr. Keller states some things in life don’t bounce back like a rubber ball when we drop them, they get scuffed, nicked or even shattered.

One of the areas in our lives that have been shattered is our relationship with the Lord. Men are no longer leaders in spiritual matters; we no longer take the forefront in leading our families, nation, and church to the Lord. This lack of spiritual leadership has created an unbalance in our society. Women are raising sons and daughters who have no concept or idea of what it is to be loved by a father or an example of what a real father should be.

The ancient Hebrew writer and prophet by the name of Joel wrote the following about the last days:

“It will come about after this; That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. Even on the male and female servants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”
Joel 2:28-29 (NASB)

Did you notice the balance in the outpouring of God’s Spirit in the text – “sons and daughters” and “male and female”? If you remove man out of the equation, there is no balance. While women may be more sensitive to Spirit of God, they do not receive more of God’s Spirit than men, it is an equal outpouring. It may be that men may have removed themselves from the equation, and as a result our society, our country, and the world are out of balance. Did you also notice that the text emphasizes the role of the man? The text specifically mentions, “old men will dream dreams.” Where are the dreamers? It would appear as if old men only reminisce about the past and are not dreamers, and “young men” are not visionaries, but only live in the moment. It is time to restore the balance.

The first place men need to restore the balance is in our personal walk with the Lord. It is time for us to take back our rightful places as spiritual leaders for our families, nation, the world and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Let’s commit to doing the following so that we may begin to restore the balance:

1. Let’s start by repenting and turning our face to the Lord in prayer.

“The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”
Psalm 51:17 (NLT)

“In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.”
1 Timothy 2:8 (NLT)

2. After repenting – ask your families, friends, and church to forgive you for your shortcomings and neglect of your role in spiritual matters.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

3. Promise to take your place in your home, church, community, and the world and become the man God destined you to be.

“But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”
1 Corinthians 11:3 (NLT)

4. Continue to excel, grow and become the man God has called you to be, by devoting yourself to prayer – personal and corporate study of the Word of God.

“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)

5. Commit to mentor, father, teach and lead other men to become the man God has destined them to be.

“Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.”
1 Timothy 4:13 (NLT)

Remember, the balance can only be restored when man takes his place and becomes all that God has destined him to be!